Éamon Ó Cuív pushes for action on travelers living in caravans
Éamon Ó Cuív raised the plight of travelers living in caravans and trailers, warning many are old and freezing in winter and urging prompt implementation of a joint committee report of 12 practical recommendations. He sought confirmation that the one-page recommendations will be reviewed and implemented, and said he and the minister will prioritise review on receipt.
Committee report and recommendations
The joint committee on key issues facing the traveler community has agreed a short report containing 12 very specific, practical recommendations intended to comprehensively resolve the needs of people who choose to live in trailers rather than fixed accommodation.
Urgency and winter conditions
Ó Cuív stressed the urgency as another winter approaches, noting many caravans and trailers are old and occupants are freezing cold. He said the problem remains unsolved and needs immediate attention.
Costs and funding
He pointed out the current maximum spend per caravan is 40,000 and contrasted that with the cost of a single house, arguing that replacing the trailers that need replacement would not be a large cost. He also welcomed that the capital budget for the provision of traveler accommodation has been fully spent in every year the government has been in place.
Ministerial review and responsibility
Ó Cuív asked for confirmation that, once the report is submitted and the recommendations are presented on one page, the minister will review and ensure implementation. He guaranteed that on receipt of the report he and the minister will review it and treat it as a matter of priority, and noted the minister has delegated responsibility for this area.
Outstanding schemes and next steps
He flagged issues with the caravan loan scheme and other matters affecting the traveling community that will be examined. He said he would welcome receipt of the report as soon as it is ready and gave an assurance he will look at it as a priority and revert directly back to the committee.
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The reason I'm so pleased that you're here is I've raised time and again in this house the issue of travelers who are living in caravans or trailers as they prefer to call them and many of these are old and many of them are freezing cold in the winter and we as we come into another winter this problem is not solved now the joint committee on key issues facing the traveler community have just agreed a short report with 12 very specific very practical recommendations that once and for all would put this issue to bed and would solve it comprehensively for the people who choose to live in trailers rather than to live in fixed accommodation and I think at the moment what you spend the maximum per caravan is 40,000 now you know the cost of one single house we've had that debate around the house recently so to resolve this with all the trailers that need replacement is not a big cost so what I'm asking you to maybe confirm for me today that once this report comes to you the recommendations are on one page that you'd look at it and make sure that it's implemented as each one of the recommendations is both practical and doable and I can guarantee you on receipt of the report and it's good to hear it's concise as well with the recommendations that myself and minister dylan both of us will review it minister dylan has has delegated responsibility for this area but I'm pleased to see over the last number of years that our capital budget since this government came in for the provision of traveler accommodation has been fully spent in every year that this government has been in place there is an issue and on the caravan loan scheme and other things that there will be looked at for traders and for people in the traveler traveling community I would welcome and receipt of that report as soon as as soon as it's ready I'll give you an assurance that that that I will look at it as a matter of priority thank you minister consult to my colleague minister dylan and revert directly back to you on the committee deputy fergus deputy fergus
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